2025-02-02 17:31:11Carrick walked to the garage, wondering what his father's mysterious business deal was about. He felt uneasy, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why. If this business deal was as important as his father made it out to be, then why didn't he send Domino? Domino had always been his favorite. Carrick decided to see this through.. as this was the only way to redeem himself and earn the family's respect.
Edgar, the driver, greeted him and asked if he was ready. Carrick nodded and got into the car. As they drove, Carrick's mind kept going back to his father's words: "Clear away the shame." But something didn't feel right.
The car stopped at a deserted warehouse. Edgar told Carrick to wait while he checked if everything was ready. Carrick watched as Edgar entered the warehouse, feeling his heart pound in his chest.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the shadows. A voice called out, "Carrick Gale, welcome." Carrick turned to see a figure emerging from the darkness.
"Who are you?" Carrick asked, trying to stay calm.
"I'm someone who's been waiting for you," the figure replied, its voice dripping with malice. "Your father made a deal with us, and you're part of it."
Carrick's instincts screamed at him to run, but he wanted answers. "What kind of deal?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
The figure chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough. But for now, let's just say you're in our hands."
Suddenly, Edgar appeared beside him, his eyes cold and hard. "Sorry, Carrick. I had no choice."
"What do you mean you had no choice? What's going on." Carrick asked in confusion.
"There was never any merchandise to pick up. I brought you here to die." Edgar replied with the same expressionless face.
Carrick felt a wave of betrayal wash over him. "You're in on this too?"
Edgar shrugged. "I'm just following orders."
The figure gestured to a group of men emerging from the shadows. "Take him away."
Carrick struggled against his captors, but they were too strong. They threw him into a dimly lit room, the door slamming shut behind him. The sound echoed through the space, making Carrick's heart race.
"Welcome, Carrick," one of them said, their voice devoid of emotion. "Your father sends his regards."
Carrick's eyes adjusted to the light, and he saw Edgar standing in the corner, his eyes downcast. Carrick's mind raced with questions. His mind still refused to believe that his father and Edgar would set him up. If they wanted him dead so much, why didn't they just kill him back at the mansion, why go through all these trouble? All he can do is hope that whatever this man was saying is wrong, and Edgar would find a way to help him out of here.
"Edgar, what's going on?" Carrick asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "Why are you here?"
Edgar didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the floor. Carrick's anger grew. Was Edgar really betraying him too?
The captor who spoke earlier stepped forward. "Your father wants you taken care of, Carrick. Permanently."
Carrick's heart skipped a beat. His father had ordered his own son's execution. He couldn't believe it.
"Why?" Carrick asked, trying to stall for time. "What have I done?"
The captor shrugged. "You're a liability. And after we're done with you, Edgar here will be taken care of too."
Edgar's eyes flickered, but he still didn't speak. Carrick knew he had to act fast. He had to escape, and he had to protect Edgar. He knew from Edgar's downcast expression, he didn't want this to happen, but had no choice as he had to follow his father's orders.. a low-level mafia member is a pawn, a chesspiece that can be discarded as trash whenever the big boss wishes, and the pawn can't do anything but accept. But what about him? Would he, Carrick Gale, accept this?
"You're not going to get away with this," Carrick said, trying to sound braver than he felt.
The captor laughed. "Oh, I think we will. Your father has paid us well to make sure this is a clean job."
Carrick's mind raced. He had to think of something, anything, to get out of this situation.
*
Carrick's captors tied him up, his wrists and ankles bound by thick rope. He struggled, but it was no use. They dragged him out of the room, Edgar's lifeless body following behind. They had killed Edgar because they felt he might prove difficult later on, so a bullet to his head solved their problem.
"You're a foolish boy, Carrick," one of the captors sneered. "You should have stayed out of this."
Carrick spat at his feet. "You'll pay for this. My father will make sure of it." Till now, he chose not to believe his father had a hand in this.
The captor laughed. "Your father's the one who ordered this. You're just a pawn in his game. What's so difficult to accept?"
They reached the car, the same one Carrick had arrived in with Edgar. The captors tossed Carrick into the backseat, Edgar's body thrown in beside him.
"Please," Carrick begged, "Don't do this. Just let me go."
The captor just smiled. "You're going to be a nice little bonfire."
One of the captors poured fuel around the car, the smell of gasoline filling the air. Carrick's heart raced as he realized their plan.
"No, no, no!" Carrick screamed, thrashing against his bonds. "You can't do this!"
Just as they were about to light the fuel, gunshots rang out. A gang fight had erupted nearby, the sound of shouting and screeching tires filling the air.
"What the...?" one of the captors exclaimed, momentarily distracted.
That's when a stray bullet found its way to the car, piercing the fuel-soaked metal.
The car erupted in a blaze of fire, Carrick and Edgar's bodies trapped inside, while his captors were blown away to kingdoms come. Carrick's screams were drowned out by the roar of the flames, his world consumed by heat and darkness.
"No!" Carrick shouted, his voice hoarse from smoke. "Mother!"
But it was too late. The flames
engulfed them, and everything went black.
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CHAPTER 98. LINGERING SHADOW
The weight of the city pressed down on Carrick’s shoulders. The war had been won, but there was no peace...not yet.From his penthouse office, he watched the skyline, the lights of New Manhattan twinkling like stars. This was his city now. His empire. And yet, his enemy still lived.Zachary Gale had not disappeared. He had not begged for mercy.And that made him a problem.The soft hum of the city below was a deceptive lullaby, masking the storm brewing in the underworld. Carrick exhaled sharply, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his desk. He had stripped Zachary of his wealth, his power, and his men. But the man was still standing, still plotting. That was a mistake Carrick intended to correct.The door to his office creaked open.Elias stepped inside, his usual cocky smirk absent. “We have a situation.”Carrick turned, his sharp gaze locking onto him. “Go on.”Elias placed a file on the desk and flipped it open. “Zachary’s been making moves. He’s been seen meeting with former
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The night was long, but the war was over.Carrick Gale stood at the window of his penthouse, staring at the city that now belonged to him. The Gale Family was finished. His father, Zachary, had been exposed, abandoned, and stripped of power.But victory didn’t feel the way he expected.The weight of his actions settled in his chest. He had fought, plotted, and won, but there was no celebration, no moment of relief. Because now, the real work began.Behind him, Victor Alistair poured himself a drink. “You’re too quiet,” he said. “I figured you’d be enjoying this.”Carrick turned slightly, his face unreadable. “What’s there to enjoy?”Victor raised an eyebrow. “You crushed Zachary. His allies turned against him. His own men left him to rot. His empire is in flames. That’s exactly what you wanted.”Carrick exhaled. “And yet, he’s still breathing.”Victor chuckled. “Barely. Word is, he’s been trying to cut deals with anyone who’ll listen, but no one trusts him anymore. He’s got nothing le
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CHAPTER 94: A WAR IGNITED
The black SUV sped down the highway, its tires cutting through the night as Carrick sat in the backseat, his mother’s hand gripped tightly in his. His heart was still hammering in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins from the firefight they had barely escaped. His mother, pale but composed, turned to him. “Carrick, you shouldn’t have come for me.” Carrick’s eyes flashed with anger. “How could I not? Zachary was using you to get to me.” She shook her head. “And now he will be furious. You’ve just declared war.” Victor, who sat in the front passenger seat, let out a dry chuckle. “War was inevitable. We just fired the first real shot.” Darius, behind the wheel, glanced in the rearview mirror. “No tails so far, but we should still move fast. Zachary won’t let this slide.” Carrick turned back to his mother. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head. “No, but... I saw Marco before we left.” Her voice trembled slightly. “Carrick, he won’t stop. He will come after you. He ha
